Fence-post brace construction.



J. F. HENNING.

FENCE POST BRACE CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED ocT.5,191s.

1,252,569.. Patented Jan. 8,1918.

UNTTEE %TATE% PATENT QFFMJE,

JOHN F. HENNING, 0F JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN. ASSIGNOB, TO JANESVILLE BARB WIRE (30., OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

FENCE-POST BBACE CONSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 8, 1918.

Application filed October 5, 1916. Serial No. 123,811.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. Hun-nine, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Janesville, Rock county, WVisconsin, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Fence-Post Brace Construction, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to fence posts which are made of'a'ngle-iron or T-iron, or some similar form of structural iron, and more particularly to those used at the ends and corners of wire fencing or in any other situation where the post requires to be braced against the longitudinal pull of the fence.

Generally stated, the object of my invention is to provide a novel or improved method of connecting the brace to the post, whereby the brace may be readily turned in any direction, and may also be readily adjusted up and down on the post, thereby facilitating the building of fences having end and corner posts of this character.

It is also an object to provide certain details and features of construction and combinations tending to increase the general efficiency and desirability of a fence post and brace construction therefor of this particular character.

To these and other useful ends, my invention consists in matters hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is an elevation of a fence post provided with a brace-connection embodying the principles of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section, on a larger scale. of said post, showing the brace-construction in plan, and indicating the rotary adjustment of said connection to another position in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3-3 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective of one of the fillerblocks in the connection between the upper end of the brace and the post.

Fig. 5 is a perspective of the other fillerblock of said connection.

As thus illustrated, my invention comprises a iillerblock A which is shaped to engage the outer surface of the angle-iron post B (see Fig. 2), and wh ch is provided with a curved outer surface having a chanml at between upper and lower flanges. Preferably, said block is cut away at 1 toprovide a clearance for the outer corner of the post. The other filler-block C is provided with corner portions 0 to engage the inner surface of the post, adjacent the outer edges of the flanges of the angle-iron, so that an opening D, of substantial size, is left between this block anc the post. This block C, like the block r, is provided with a curved outer surface having a channel 2 between upper and lower flanges. The split collar E encircles the two blocks A and C, and is held in place thereon by the upper and lower flanges 3 and t of said blocks, whereby the said collar is provided with a bearing upon which it can rotate about a vertical axis. The split portion of said collar is provided with ears 6 which are directed downward to receive the upper end of the brace F, which latter may also be of angle-iron. A bolt G is inserted through the ears 0, and through the upper end of the brace F, and by tightening this bolt the collar E is tightened upon the tillerblccks A and C, causing these blocks to tightly clamp the post, thus holding the upper end of the brace in position. Of course, before the collar E is contracted, and before the post is inserted, the blocks A and C can be inserted, as they have sufficient movement toward each other to allow their top flanges to pass upward through the collar. In this way, the blocks are so shaped and are of such proportion that they can be inserted in the collar when the driver is not on the post, but after the post is inserted the flanges on the blocks permit their removal, so that each block is held by the post against removal from the collar. If desired, the insertion of the block A in the collar may be further facilitated by gradually tapering the flanges thereof (see Fig. 2) so that it can be moved upward and into the collar and then forward to cause the wide middle portions of the flanges to extend above and below the collar. The lower end of the post B, and also the lower end of the brace F, are preferably set in concrete.

With the foregoing construction, it will be seen that the brace F can be turned in any direction, depending upon the direction or character of the fence. Furthermore, the upper end of the brace can be adjusted up and down on the post to suit the requirements or the conditions, especially the nature of the ground, and after being thus properly positioned can be secured against movement by the ti htening of the bolt G, so that the collar E andthe post are then rigidly connected together. lit will be understood, of course, that the collar E can be adjusted up and down before the brace is set in the ground, and either before or after the post B is set in the ground, depending upon the conditions and requirements of each particular case. In any event, though, as stated, the construction provides for the easyand convenient positioning of the brace in the desired manner, without bending or distorting either the post orthe brace, or any. other metal parts, and facilitates the setting-of the posts and the building of the fence.

It will be understood, of course, that the postB may be made ofany other form'of iron, such, for example, as T-iron, and that I do not limit myself to any particular'material:for eitherthe post or the brace.

When used on an end post, the invention will require only-one rotary ring E, but for a corner. post two of these rings can :be used,

in. amanner that will be readily understood,

by arranging one above the other.

The openings land D, between the inner edges of the filler-blocks nd the post, permit each :block', when. the split collar Eis tightened, to-vsl-ide forward on the surface. o-fthe post until the flanges 12 of the post are clamped tightly and firmlybetween the opposingycorners portions of the" two blocks. Thus, slight irregularities in the formation of the blocks or the post will not make any particular difference, as the clamping action will force each, block intoa firm engagement with the post, and the flanges of the latter :may yield a little, while the blocks are forced toward each. other, to the powerful contraction of the split collar. It will be understood, however, that the means for engaging the'post, will necessarily be shaped according tothe form. or shape of the post.

bearing for. the collar toturniupomand said collar; and; blocks: cooperating to tightly clamp the .post and hold the brace'in position... Y What I-claim as myinvention is Z 1.. Thecombmat-iomof a fence'post and a brace; therefor, ad ustable means on: the post to permit said brace tocextendv iIlrCllffGI'fiIlt directions, said means including a split collar which encircles the post, a. plurality of separate filler-blocks engaging. the post, said blocks providing a curved channelbearing. fortherotation therein of said collar, and a tightening and pivoting bolt for contracting said collar and to detachably' rections, said means includingfa splitcollar encircling the postto. rotate; about a verticaliaXi's when the brace is swung-around into the desired position, said. col-larlhlaving a. tightening. and pivoting bolt for; detachablyzsupportin'g the'upper end of the .brace, so that said "collar can b'etightened toi rigidly clamp said means on'the post and whereby the brace can be swungnpwand down-and sidewise before having 'its loweraend fixed inaplace, and means inside the collar to clamp the post s'when' said bolt is tightened,

3. The combination, as set forth. in claim 1, in :which one of said blocks-is beveled; at each s de thereof and forms-a wedge-extending bet-weentwo po-rtlonsof thepost,iand"1n which the post is wedge-shapedin cross-secti on to extend: intozthezother block... The: combination, asset forth inclann 1, in which sald blocks are of 'suchzsize and shape that they are readily insertible'in: said collar when not onthe post and have'pro jecting'portionsto render impossible the. removal of either-block :.thereof: from said collar whileon the post.

5...The' combination of;- (1) a fence'wpost, (2) =a clamp slidablesup and down. on said post and! held. ibys. the post against; rotation thereon, (3) a splitcollar.swiveledonsaid clamp, t). means onrsaid: clamp tozpreclude removal thereof from said collar whileion the post, (5) a brace-for the post, (6-) a pivot to'support saidbrace in adjustedposition. on

said collar, and-.(7) means for-utilizing said pivot totighten said collar and thereby; operate said clamp to compress. said. post.

Signed by me at Janesvill'e, .Vvisconsin, this 26th dayof September, 191

JOHN E. Haunt-no- Copies,:ofQthisipatent may .be obtained for five-centseaeh, .by addressingrthe F Commissioner. of Patents,

' I Washington, 1 0.!" r 

